'Cop watch' groups asking for accountability

A member of Copwatch Santa Ana holds a sign reading "RETEN" od checkpoint to warn drivers about the nearby Santa Ana Police Department checkpoint. KYUSUNG GONG, FOR THE REGISTER

Copwatch tips

Members of Copwatch Santa Ana hand out fliers to residents so they know their rights. Here's what they recommend:

If the police stop you write down officers' name, badge numbers and car numbers.

If pulled over in a car, do not open your truck or door. By doing so, you consent to a search of your property and yourself

Do not resist if police handcuff or search you.

If arrested say repeatedly: "I do not want to talk until my lawyer is present."

Officials can arrest people for interfering with investigations, when observing or recording an officer's actions explain that you don't intend to interfere and that you have a right to observe.

Source: Copwatch Santa Ana

Hundreds of Orange County residents are arming themselves with recording devices when encountering patrol officers on the streets to, as they say, keep local police accountable.

More and more people are joining police-watch groups in cities including Anaheim, Fullerton and Santa Ana, as well as online, in hopes of monitoring local law enforcement activity. The increased awareness of police actions -- which members say is sometimes excessive -- has encouraged many to join.

Some believe that officer-involved confrontations have always existed, but now generate more publicity thanks to cell-phone cameras and social media. Others say police are using more force because of the state’s early release of prison inmates. Either way, residents are boning up on the law and taking to the streets.

So far this year, 14 officer-involved shootings have been investigated, among the highest totals to date in the last 10 years, records show.

Gregory George, of San Juan Capistrano, helps run Orange County Copwatch, an online group that encourages residents to post videos, photos and comments about perceived incidents of police misconduct.

George says his group is not anti-police: “There really is a big difference between anti-police and holding public officials accountable. Our mission is to begin to start a conversation with police. Once we can start to have a conversation with officials, then we can start to hold people accountable.”

Art Pedroza, a member of the group and local blogger of the New Santa Ana, an aggregator of Santa Ana news stories, press releases and community events, said Copwatch Santa Ana members are protesting police impounding the vehicles of unlicensed drivers at the DUI checkpoints and cites police data from 2009.

“They are trying to prevent the seizure if cars from unlicensed undocumented residents. A goal that I support,” he said. “The checkpoints don't actually catch many drunk drivers.”

Santa Ana Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said the department has not impounded cars from unlicensed drivers for almost two years.

Santa Ana Interim Police Chief Carlos Rojas said that the Copwatch Santa Ana members have not effected police operations and they support the group’s right to free speech.

“As long as they don’t interfere with an investigation, it’s not an issue,” Rojas said. “They have a right to be out there and voice their opinions.”

Copwatch Santa Ana also hands out fliers to residents informing them of their rights. They let people know what to do when they are stopped by an officer, including invoking attorney rights and proper search procedures.

Protesting for 2 years

The Santa Ana group along with others focuses on officer-involved shootings. They believe that many of the deadly shootings are unjustified.

Theresa Smith, the mother of Caesar Cruz who was shot and killed in 2009 in Anaheim, is working on creating a police accountability board to work with Anaheim city government and police officials. She has protested outside of the city’s police headquarters the shooting of her son for more than two years.

“I knew something needed to be done besides protesting,” she said.

Smith thinks that an accountability board will help the police department. A department, she says, that is not trusted by Anaheim residents.

A member of Copwatch Santa Ana holds a sign reading "RETEN" od checkpoint to warn drivers about the nearby Santa Ana Police Department checkpoint. KYUSUNG GONG, FOR THE REGISTER
A member of Copwatch Santa Ana holds a sign reading "RETEN" to warn drivers about the nearby Santa Ana Police Department checkpoint. KYUSUNG GONG, FOR THE REGISTER
A member of Copwatch Santa Ana holds a sign reading "RETEN" to warn drivers about the nearby Santa Ana Police Department checkpoint. KYUSUNG GONG, FOR THE REGISTER

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